Colb's Passions

Colb's Bio

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

These are great mittens. Just used them on a -5 degree day and they worked great. I love the new synthetic material on the palm. It is great that it allows touchscreen grab with the gloves on. All around a warm and durable feeling mitten. I generally shy away from leather palms to a synthetic palm, because synthetic is more durable and fully waterproof. I ordered other mittens in this price range and the Burton's were made from higher quality materials than the others.

2 things could be improved: The Gore Leather mitten has a small course patch on the inside of the index finger for a goggle wipe. I wish Burton would have added the patch to this synthetic palm model as well. Also the wrist gaiters could stand to be about 1/2" to 1" inch longer. My old Gore mittens from about 8 years ago wore out, but they had a slighter longer gaiter which made use a little easier.

I had the 2009 Synapse and needed a new pair. This 2012/13 model is great so far with 1 day out. They are stiffer than my old ones. Just a hair less comfy but picked up additional response. Took about half a day but by midday they were feeling great. If you are looking for a new responsive boot and have narrow feet then don't be afraid to pull the trigger on the synapse. As a side note - the description is wrong. They do not come with removable j-bars or removable ankle inserts. Great high end boot though as they satisfy this picky rider.

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I had the 2009 Synapse and needed a new pair. This 2012/13 model is great so far with 1 day out. They are stiffer than my old ones. Just a hair less comfy but picked up additional response. Took about half a day but by midday they were feeling great. If you are looking for a new responsive boot and have narrow feet then don't be afraid to pull the trigger on the synapse. As a side note - the description is wrong. They do not come with removable j-bars or removable ankle inserts. Great high end boot though as they satisfy this picky rider.

I picked up the TRS 162 with the C2BTX last week from Dog Funk. 6' 2" 145 pounds and Advanced riding for 11 years, and the funnest board I have ever been on. Rode powder in Central Idaho on Sunday and it floats great. Rode packed powder and it was more stable and dampens better than any board I have been on. I usually get pitched around because I am so light. Rode hard snow night skiing last night and Magna Traction is the all time slayer for hard snow. I usually feel like ice skating on hard snow due to my light weight, but Magna Traction grips crazy good.

I was worried about the multi-camber construction slowing me down on hard snow. That is not the case. I was right on pace with all the board/ski friends who rip for the first time all season. I cannot wait to try it on Ice and see how the Magna Traction does. I waivered between the 159 and 162 because of my weight. I stay out of the park, so I went with the 162. My suggestion to all advanced riders who stay out of the park is to go up one size. More float in the powder, and I don't even notice the difference in leght. Enough stiffness for all mountain stability but still with big pop.

Wished I would have tried Lib earlier. This is truly the 1 Board Quiver All Mountain Slayer I had been looking for. Watchout everyone else. Lib is going to take over.

I love my new Synapse boots. I have about 10 days on them and am hoping they are done packing out. I have been in Salomon's for over 9 years and they always seem to hold up well through the abuse. Narrow FEET paradise: I wear a size 10 A in mens dress shoes and the Size 9 Synapse is working great. I tried about 20 different pairs of boots trying to find something narrow enough. The Synapse are the narrowest boot I tried on. The only boots that compare for narrowness are the Burton SLX. Do not like the SLX Price Tag.